Magic Kingdom For Sale* (*Some Assembly Required)

[Emperor Valerian]

*Drakkon, upon seeing the gnolls, will rein up, his eyes looking a little eager.*

"It appears our stalkers wish to see us face to face... am I correct to guess those with the larger feathers might be their strongest?"

"Yes, Lord Drakkon," Ishkabar will say, looking the leaders over. "Clad in skins and hides... I think they mean for their clothing to be a showing of strength. Though as they haven't attacked yet, I believe a parley might be in order."

"Hmmm..." Drakkon will grumble. "Does anyone is our group speak their tongue? Whoever does, I shall ride out with them and impress these creatures with Kord's strength. They are built strong... meethinks that they might need less instruction in Kord than I previously thought. I should think it would be a good Test to wrestle one sometime."

 

[Isida Kep'Tukari]

*You are facing a dozen gnolls at present.*

Phaeder:

Spoiler

The gnolls seem to be tense as well as both angered and a touch of unpleasent anticipation, almost like fear. The handprint and raven's head drawing don't seem to have a lot of historical significance, so your best guess is that they represent both the names and rankings of the two gnoll shamens. Probably the one with the raven's head is some kind of trickster, and the one with the handprint might be a healer. The greasepaint designs are those used in ritual combat or open warfare; it's designed to impress and intimitade rivals.

 

[Ferrix]

Trekt signals to some of his rangers to alert the other members of the caravan to the archers in the treeline, even if they themselves cannot pick them out, they should at least know of their presence.

Turning to Grik he says, "well it seems we have a welcome party."

The goblin chuckles quietly and pats the dwarf on the shoulder, enthused by the humorous sentiment.

 

[Sephiroth no Miko]

*Seeing little activity from the group, Phaeder makes a quick decision.* Best that we not appear indecisive or shy, *he thinks. He murmurs a quick word of command to change his armor from the shirt it had been masquerading as back into its normal mailed appearance under his cloak.*

*Spurring his horse forward in a stately canter, he pulls abreast with the other members of the Hex at the head of the column.* "From what I can tell, they seem rather angry and tense," *he will say quickly and quietly to his fellow party members in Celestial, trusting Allyra or Shal to translate his words if necessary to Rezomael or Trekt,* "but I'm catching a undercurrent of something like fear as well. I'm guessing they're not happy about our presence here but are reluctant to get into a fight with us, which is probably why they're choosing to parley."

*Turning to Drakkon, he asks with a faint smile, no more than a friendly quirk of the lips,* "I'm going to go see what they want. Do you wish to come along and show them the glory of Kord's might?"

(Assuming Drakkon's coming along.) *Phaeder will ride up, back straight and face composed, coming to stop at a comfortable distance for speech but not too close. His manner is confident and commanding but not overtly threatening. Using his trained voice, he will hail them clearly and loudly in Common,* "Greetings, Walkers of the Forest, what business do you wish with us?"

[OOC: If I'm jumping the gun, someone stop me and I can erase that last paragraph.]

 

[Thanee]

Allyra

While the gnolls' attention will focus on the two, Allyra will quickly translate what Phaeder said into dwarven. Afterwards, she watches and listens with interest what the gnolls have to say.

 

[Emperor Valerian]

"Of course I shall come to show them Kord's strength!" Drakkon will rumble with delight.

"Perhaps, Chief Chainbreaker, you should ride behind Phaedar, if he is the one speaking," Ishkabar will note, "It will reinforce his position when he speaks... make it seem that our 'leader' has the full power of Kord behind him."

*Drakkon will nod, understanding the plan*

[Drakkon & Ishkabar will ride slowly, close behind Phaeder, remaining a 'respectful' distance behind... about five feet or so (close enough he can jump in if something goes on). Drakkon and Ishkabar will remain quiet, and maintain a look of careful watching, but their blades will be out. If Phaeder's words are the 'carrots,' these two will serve as reminders of the 'stick' that is nearby as well.

Doing this, the two will quietly apply the Intimidation of Kord to quietly encourage them to weigh Phaeder's words carefully:


Drakkon +7 Intimidate
Ishkabar +3 Intimidate]

 

[Isida Kep'Tukari]

*Drawing close to the gnoll in front, he pulls himself up slightly, and braces his feet for an easier position to charge, should it come to that. The others tilt their spears forward and brace them. As Phaeder calls out his challenge, he can see a flash of surprise in the green eyes of the lead gnoll. After the bard speaks, he clears his throat a couple of times, and then takes a few paces forward, his stomach thrust out almost comically to your eyes.*

He's showing he's not afraid of you, baring his vulnerable stomach, Anshul whispers in Phaeder's mind. Behind the bard, the two devotees of Kord flex their muscles slightly in a show of power.

*With a rough bark, the lead gnoll begins to speak in oddly-accented Common.*

"We are Snake-Eater Clan. I, Eats Stomaches, am champion. You tread on our territory, and you will leave," he says in a growl, making a chopping motion with his clawed hand.

 

[Sephiroth no Miko]

Ah, gnoll 'diplomacy'.... straight and to the point. Well, no sense in riling the natives just yet... we've still a long ways to go. *Mentally, Phaeder also sends thanks to Anshul for the little tidbit of information.*

*Looking unconcerned despite the all points of the spears (and unseen arrowheads) levelled at him, Phaeder listens to the gnoll champion's demand coolly, undismayed by the blunt words.* "I am Phaeder, of the Hex," *he replies smoothly, returning the introduction.* "We merely seek passage towards the river. May we not come to some sort of mutual agreement?" *he asks civilly and reasonably. He speaks to Eats Stomaches as if the gnoll was an equal, but his tone makes it clear that the offer of negotiation does not come from fear or meekness.*

[Diplomacy +20 to sway the gnolls to negotiate. First, the 'carrot'.... Oh, and I suppose I should note that if the river has a name, Phaeder will use it, if he knows it. He does not want any misunderstandings.]

 

[Xael]

*Rezomael watches the situation, and decides to see what happens. He is prepared for hostilities though, and will keep an eye for the gnolls.*

 

[Isida Kep'Tukari]

Ah, gnoll 'diplomacy'.... straight and to the point. Well, no sense in riling the natives just yet... we've still a long ways to go. *Mentally, Phaeder also sends thanks to Anshul for the little tidbit of information.*

*Looking unconcerned despite the all points of the spears (and unseen arrowheads) levelled at him, Phaeder listens to the gnoll champion's demand coolly, undismayed by the blunt words.* "I am Phaeder, of the Hex," *he replies smoothly, returning the introduction.* "We merely seek passage towards the river. May we not come to some sort of mutual agreement?" *he asks civilly and reasonably. He speaks to Eats Stomaches as if the gnoll was an equal, but his tone makes it clear that the offer of negotiation does not come from fear or meekness.*

*The river has no official name as of yet; one of the perks of this job is you get to name everything.*

"What can you give us that makes you worthy of walking on Snake-Eater land?" Eats Stomaches demands with a low growl.